A SOLDIER’S MESSAGE FROM THE GRAVE

The wording on most Roman military tombstones is fairly standardized, giving the soldier’s name alongside basic service details. But the epitaph on this example from Roman Britain contains something else – a direct message from the dead soldier to the living…

This particular tombstone was dedicated to one Titus Flaminius, a soldier in Legio XIV Gemina. He was originally from Faventia (modern Faenza, Italy) but died while stationed in Britain. He was buried in Wroxeter, making it likely that he died some time between AD 58 and 67, when Legio XIV was garrisoned there. The upper part of the tombstone, which was decorated with a relief of a soldier, has broken away, leaving only his sandalled feet and the bottom of a wooden staff, the depiction of which suggests that he may have been a standard bearer, although this is not attested in the inscription. The epitaph reveals that Flaminius died at the age of 45 after serving 22 years, and thus he had spent nearly half his life in military service.…

You're reading a preview of

Ancient Warfare (Digital) - 1 Issue, AW XV.3

DiscountMags is a licensed distributor (not a publisher) of the above content and Publication through Zinio LLC. Accordingly, we have no editorial control over the Publications. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including those made in Publications offered on our website, are those of the respective author(s) or publisher(s) and not of DiscountMags. DiscountMags does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or usefulness of all or any portion of any publication or any services or offers made by third parties, nor will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in any Publication, or your use of services offered, or your acceptance of any offers made through the Service or the Publications. For content removal requests, please contact Zinio.